Love Island contestant Liam Llewellyn has quit the show after just four days, MailOnline can reveal.
The student, 22, from Wales told producers that he wasn’t enjoying the experience and felt his place on the series should be offered to someone else.
On Friday’s show, Liam breaks the news to his fellow Islanders including former partner Gemma Owen, 19, who’s now coupled up with Italian bombshell Davide Sanclimenti, 27.
It’s all over: Love Island contestant Liam Llewellyn has quit the show after just four hours, MailOnline can reveal
Tough time: The student from Wales told producers that he wasn’t enjoying the experience and felt his place on the series should be offered to someone else
The cast are left devastated by Liam’s departure after he had already become a well-loved member of the group.
In dramatic scenes that will be shown on Friday’s episode, Liam gathers the Islanders around the fire pit and lets them know his reasons for quitting.
A source told MailOnline: ‘It was so unexpected, with only a few days into the series, an Islander has already walked from the villa.
‘Liam felt his place on the show should be offered to someone that would enjoy the experience better, which is admirable.’
Viewers voted for Liam to go on two dates with newcomers Afia Tonkmor, 25, and Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu, 27, on Thursday after being left the only singleton in the villa.
Former couple: In Friday’s show, Liam breaks the news to his fellow Islanders including former partner Gemma Owen, who’s now coupled up with Italian bombshell Davide Sanclimenti
Playing the game: Italian bombshell Davide stole dressage champion Gemma from Liam, which left him the only singleton in the villa
Romance: Liam and Gemma enjoyed a passionate kiss during one of the show’s challenges before his exit on Friday
He partnered up with Michael Owen’s daughter Gemma on the show’s first day but had the dressage champion stolen off him by Davide.
Liam previously hinted being alone in the villa would be his worst nightmare.
Commenting on the first coupling up ceremony, Liam said: ‘Everybody wants to feel wanted don’t they, so I’ve put myself in a position now where I could not be wanted and it’s going be all eyes that.
Liam: ‘I’m fully prepped for the show – whatever happens, happens’
Liam revealed how he has been ‘fully prepped’ for how the reality show can change or not change his life in an interview conducted before the show started.
Speaking with MailOnline, the Welsh Masters student, 22, said he is ‘fully aware’ how big this experience can get.
He said: ‘I’m fully aware and I’ve been fully prepped by ITV throughout the whole process of how big this could get, or how little it could get. Your life could not change.’
The soon to be reality star said he is ‘not even thinking’ about what his life will be like after exiting the Mallorca villa.
‘You can’t prepare for something like this, I’m trying not to think about it, I’m going to jump in and see what happens.
‘Whatever happens, happens, and whatever doesn’t, doesn’t.’
Liam said he is ‘very lucky with all the support’ he has from his family and friends and is glad they’re ‘all excited and buzzing’ to watch him on the TV each night.
‘Probably not being wanted in a recoupling or something like that. No one wants to be last do they, no one wants to be the last picked.’
Before heading into the show, the Welsh native said that he was ‘fully prepped’ for what was to come
Speaking with MailOnline, the Masters student, 22, said he is ‘fully aware’ how big this experience can get.
Prepared? Speaking with MailOnline ahead of the show, the Welsh Masters student, 22, said he is ‘fully aware’ how big this experience can get
He said: ‘I’m fully aware and I’ve been fully prepped by ITV throughout the whole process of how big this could get, or how little it could get. Your life could not change.’
The reality star said he was ‘not even thinking’ about what his life will be like after exiting the Mallorca villa.
‘You can’t prepare for something like this, I’m trying not to think about it, I’m going to jump in and see what happens.
Impressive! Liam’s dad has been revealed as a Welsh rugby hero avid Llewellyn (Liam and his dad David pictured at his graduation)
Family time: Liam pictured with his 19-year-old sister, Georgia, and mum, Julie at his graduation ceremony
Scouted: Speaking before the series started, his dad David told how his son had not even applied to go on Love Island
‘Whatever happens, happens, and whatever doesn’t, doesn’t.’
It was revealed earlier this week Liam has a famous father, Welsh rugby star David Llewellyn.
The scrum-half, 51, was part of the Wales 1999 World Cup in Japan and also featured in the Five Nations tournament.
He won four caps for his national team, scoring one try, while also making the bench 12 times.
The Welsh international played his club rugby for Ebbw Vale, Newport and Neath.
Speaking before the series started, David told how his son had not even applied to go on Love Island.
He said: ‘When he first rung me up, he said he needed to speak to me.
Normal life: The soon to be reality star had said he is ‘not even thinking’ about what his life will be like after exiting the Mallorca villa – but that has come sooner than planned
High spirits: Liam said he is ‘very lucky with all the support’ he has from his family and friends and was glad they’re ‘all excited and buzzing’ to watch him on the TV each night
‘I asked if everything was okay and he said the Love Island crew had contacted him – he hadn’t even applied – about an interview.
He went down to London a couple of times and obviously must have nailed it because now he’s on the show.’
Liam’s exit is one of the quickest in Love Island history, with the only similar one in 2020’s winter series – in which Ollie Williams also left after three days, claiming he still had feelings for a former girlfriend.
Previous contestants Niall Aslam and Sheriff Lanre who appeared on the show in 2018 and 2019, left after nine and seven days respectively.
LOVE ISLAND 2022: DUTY OF CARE
- Comprehensive psychological support
- Training for all Islanders on the impacts of social media and handling potential negativity
- Training for all Islanders on financial management
- Detailed conversations with Islanders regarding the impact of participation on the show
- A proactive aftercare package which extends support to all Islanders following their participation on the show
- Guidance and advice on taking on management after the show
Information courtesy of ITV
LOVE ISLAND 2022: MEET THE CONTESTANTS
Name: Paige Thorne
Age: 24
Location: Swansea
Occupation: Paramedic
Who is their type on paper? ‘In Swansea there is just no-one I can find.
‘I haven’t got to swipe. So, hopefully they can just come to me now!
‘I came out of a relationship and I was just so done with guys. Then I was like, ‘Ok, I’m bored now’
Name: Indiyah Polack
Age: 23
Location: London
Occupation: Hotel waitress
Who is their type on paper? ‘It’s quite hard to date without being influenced by social media and stuff like that.
‘Love Island is a great place to get to know someone one-on-one.
‘I don’t think I have ever been out with two guys who are quite the same.’
Name: Tasha Ghouri
Age: 23
Location: Thirsk
Occupation: Model and dancer
Who is their type on paper? ‘My dating life has been a shambles.
‘This is an opportunity for me to find ‘the one’ and have a great summer at the same time.
‘I’m definitely ready for a relationship. I’m 23 now so I’m ready to get to know someone and travel with them.’
Name: Gemma Owen
Age: 19
Location: Chester
Occupation: International Dressage Rider and Business Owner
Who is their type on paper? ‘I am open to finding love, I’m wanting to have a really fun summer.
‘I would say I’m fun, flirty and fiery. I think I’m good at giving advice, I’m a good person to talk to, I’m very honest.
‘If I want the same guy, I’d do it but in a nice respectful way.
Name: Andrew Le Page
Age: 27
Location: Guernsey
Occupation: Real Estate Agent
Who is their type on paper? ‘When I’m with someone I’m very loyal.
‘I’m a good boyfriend as when I’m with someone I’m all for them.
‘I’m actually single for once, so I thought why not?
This is the best time to give it a go.’
Name: Luca Bish
Age: 23
Location: Brighton
Occupation: Fishmonger
Who is their type on paper? ‘I prefer to meet girls out and about. I think when you go looking for it, it’s not as easy though, it’s like you’re too desperate for it.
‘If I think you’re the one or I like you, I’ll take you out on a date but other than that, if we talk and I don’t like where it’s going – then I won’t be throwing out dates.’
Name: Afia Tonkmor
Age: 25
Location: London
Occupation: Lounge Host at a Private Members Club
Who is their type on paper? ‘I love going on dates but I want to be in a relationship and just call it a day!
‘I like going on dates but I am just so done with it now, I just want the relationship, chill thing.’
Name: Dami Hope
Age: 26
Location: Dublin
Occupation: Senior Microbiologist
Who is their type on paper? ‘I will be talking to different girls, it might not go well with some.
‘When I’m actually in a relationship, I think it’s a star sign thing.
‘I’m an Aries but I’m very passionate – I always used to put that person first. I’m really good at being in a team’.
Name: Liam Llewellyn
Age: 22
Location: Newport, South Wales
Occupation: Masters Student
Who is their type on paper? ’22 is a really nice age to meet someone, you’ve got your years ahead of you so you have time to grow together.
‘Love Island is a great opportunity to meet someone, you’re in with a load of different types so you can get to grips with what you really like.’
Name: Davide Sanclimenti
Age: 27
Location: Rome (lives in Manchester)
Occupation: Business owner
Who is their type on paper? ‘A lot of English girls actually love me.
‘They love to be around me and I love to be around them. I want to find my soulmate.
‘Find my person so I can actually build something in the future, grow with them, be a family. ‘
Name: Ikenna Ekwonna
Age: 23
Location: Nottingham
Occupation: Pharmaceutical Sales
Who is their type on paper? ‘I’ve only been in one past relationship but now I think I’m at the age where I could find someone.
‘Hopefully, I’m going to bring spontaneity and excitement.
‘I’m not really shy to speak to people I don’t really care too much about what people think.’
Name: Amber Beckford
Age: 24
Location: London
Occupation: Nanny
Who is their type on paper? ‘I don’t like guys that show off.
‘I don’t like flashy guys – just have a personality and make me laugh.
‘There was this one guy and he was trying to purposefully show off his car keys and we were literally in the middle of a restaurant!’
Name: Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu
Age: 27
Location: Essex
Occupation: Actress
Who is their type on paper? ‘I’m quite picky and I’m not just looking for looks, I’m looking for brains!
‘I’m looking for someone with intelligence, someone who can have good chats. Nothing like cockiness!’